Waiting on the weather — Tubing, other activities on hold at Minneapolis Woods

Thursday

Dec 13, 2012 at 3:15 PM

By Scott Brand

With more than a dozen part-time employees trained and ready to roll, Assistant Public Works Director/Parks Dan Wyers said it is only the weather that is keeping the Minneapolis Woods Recreation Area from opening.

“We’ve had our orientation and training,” said Wyers, referring to the complex as the Sault Seal Recreation Area. “It’s just a matter of enough snow.”

The hill is comprised of seven tubing runs with two lifts on one side and a third lift dedicated to downhill skiing and snowboarding. The site also features a tabletop, allowing snowboards to execute their technical tricks on the slope.

In looking at the upcoming forecast, Wyers said he is optimistic the complex will be open for the big holiday influx of traffic associated with Christmas break. Ideally, the hills would open in mid-December each year, Wyers explained, but conditions have to be right to provide safe recreational opportunities.

“We will open as much as we can as fast as we can,” he said.

The tubing runs are generally the first to open as they require less snow and ice to safely operate. The snowboarding and downhill skiing tracks require a little more base due to the sharp edges associated with the equipment, and the nearby William Lynn Trail — which serves cross-country skiers — requires both an adequate base and grooming before it opens to the public.

Wyers said an announcement in the form of a press release will go out to all local media outlets as soon as the facility is ready to open for the 2012-13 winter season.

He also reminded folks that daily and seasonal passes make wonderful Christmas gifts and can be purchased by calling the Department of Public Works at (906) 632-5768.

The Sault Seal Recreation Area will also be running its informational hotline at (906) 635-6961, allowing callers to get updates on hill conditions and availability throughout the season.

“We’re just awaiting more snow to put all that to good use,” Wyers concluded.